Apparatus, method and system for the recordation, retrieval and management of pet information and capitalization of same

Abstract

An apparatus, method and system for the recordation, retrieval and management of pet information and capitalization of same, wherein the present invention provides for the recordation and membership-based selective access and retrieval of pet or animal medical conditions, drug allergies, vaccination history and other relevant health or identification related information, and wherein the present invention further provides for the recordation and sponsorship-based selective access and retrieval of pet or animal owner spending habits and expenses attributed to the general maintenance and care of the pet or animal, thus permitting animal food and drug providers, veterinary hospitals, insurance carriers and/or other pet related product or service providers to conduct market analyses of consumer demographics, demands, needs and spending habits for subsequent capitalization upon same via direct marketing, promotional discount offers and the like.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for storing, retrieving and managing animal information, comprising: 
 means for identifying the animal; and,    means for recording information related to the animal for subsequent management and retrieval of at least a portion of said information for at least one user-selected application.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said identifying means is at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal rabies identification number, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, animal hospital information, animal patient information, animal electronic identification information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal adoption agencies, animal hotel services, animal caretaker services, animal obedience school services, animal insurance, animal medical services and animal poison control information.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, microchip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and typed/written medium.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one user-selected application is selected from the group consisting of animal medical treatment, animal identification, lost animal recovery services and animal owner identification.  
     
     
         7 . A system of recording, tracking and managing consumer spending habits related to the maintenance of an animal, comprising: 
 means for identifying the animal; and,    means for recording information related to consumer purchases of goods and services utilized to maintain the animal.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said identifying means is at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, animal hospital information, animal store information, animal patient information, animal electronic identification information, animal poison control information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal adoption agencies, animal insurance, lost animal recovery services and animal medical services.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one recording medium comprises digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, microchip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID), typed/written medium, and/or similar technology.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said information related to consumer purchases of goods and services is selected from the group consisting of product brand name, service brand name, product type, service type, discounted products, discounted services, animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal medical services, animal health conditions, consumer geographic location, specie of animal, desirable product lines, undesirable product lines, profitable retail locations, frequency of consumer purchases, financial data, typical product fees and typical service fees.  
     
     
         13 . A method of recording, tracking and managing consumer spending habits related to the maintenance of an animal, comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a consumer with a means for recording purchases of goods and services utilized to maintain the animal, wherein the consumer can present said recording means during purchase of said goods and services; and    b. recording the purchase of said goods and services via said recording means.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said recording means is carried by at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, animal hospital information, animal patient information, animal electronic identification information, animal poison control information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal insurance, animal adoption services, lost animal recovery services and animal medical services.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and microchip technology.  
     
     
         18 . A system of advertising and direct marketing toward animal owners, comprising: 
 means for identifying the animal; and,    means for recording information related to animal owner purchases of goods and services utilized to maintain the animal, wherein at least a portion of recorded information is retrievable by at least one advertiser.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said identifying means is at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, animal hospital information, animal patient information, picture of animal, picture of owner, animal electronic identification information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal insurance, animal adoption services, lost animal recovery services and animal medical services.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and microchip technology.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said recorded information is selected from the group consisting of product brand name, service brand name, product type, service type, discounted products, discounted services, animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal medical services, consumer geographic location, specie of animal, desirable product lines, undesirable product lines, profitable retail locations, financial data, frequency of consumer purchases, typical product fees and typical service fees.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said at least a portion of said recorded information is retrievable by said at least one advertiser upon payment of a fee.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said at least one advertiser utilizes said at least a portion of said recorded information to directly market and advertise to the animal owner.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said at least one advertiser possesses the option of advertising its company logo on said identifying means.  
     
     
         27 . A method of advertising and marketing, comprising the steps: 
 a. providing an animal owner with a means for recording information related to the purchase of goods and services utilized to maintain the animal, wherein said owner can present said recording means during purchase of said goods or services; and    b. recording said information related to the purchase of said goods and services via said recording means; and,    c. permitting advertisers to access at least a portion of said information.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said recording means is carried by at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, animal hospital information, animal patient information, animal electronic identification information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal insurance, animal adoption services, lost animal recovery services and animal medical services.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID), microchip technology and written/typed medium.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said information is selected from the group consisting of product brand name, service brand name, product type, service type, discounted products, discounted services, animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal medical services, consumer geographic location, species of animal, desirable product lines, undesirable product lines, profitable retail locations, financial data, frequency of consumer purchases, typical product fees and typical service fees.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least a portion of said information is retrievable by said advertisers upon payment of a fee.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said advertisers utilize said at least a portion of said information to directly market and advertise to said animal owner.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein said advertisers possesses the option of advertising their company logo on said identifying means.  
     
     
         36 . A system of advertising and direct marketing toward animal owners, comprising: 
 means for identifying the animal;    means for recording information related to animal owner purchases of goods and services utilized to maintain the animal; and    means for subscribing to at least a portion of said information recorded via said recording means, wherein an animal owner, a veterinarian, an advertiser or a credit company may access at least a portion of said recorded information.    
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said identifying means is at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, animal hospital information, animal patient information, animal electronic identification information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal insurance, animal adoption agencies, lost animal recovery services and animal medical services.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and microchip technology.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said information is selected from the group consisting of product brand name, service brand name, product type, service type, discounted products, discounted services, animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal medical services, consumer geographic location, specie of animal, desirable product lines, undesirable product lines, profitable retail locations, frequency of consumer purchases, purchase patterns, financial data, typical product fees and typical service fees.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said means for subscribing to said at least a portion of said information is a sponsorship program that governs a sponsor's type and depth of access to said information.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein payment of at least one fee by said sponsor governs said sponsor's type and depth of access to said at least a portion of said information.  
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein said sponsor, at owner's consent, utilizes said at least a portion of said information to directly market and advertise to said animal owner.  
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein said sponsor possesses the option of advertising said sponsor's company logo on said identifying means.  
     
     
         46 . A method of advertising and direct marketing toward animal owners, comprising the steps: 
 a. providing an animal owner with a means for recording information related to the purchase of goods and services utilized to maintain the animal;    b. presenting said recording means during purchase of said goods and services;    c. recording said information related to the purchase of said goods and services via said recording means; and,    d. subscribing for access to at least a portion of said information recorded via said recording means.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said recording means is carried by at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal rabies identification information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, animal hospital information, animal patient information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, animal electronic identification information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal insurance, animal adoption services, lost animal recovery services, animal medical services and animal poison control information.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, radio-based transponder and microchip technology.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said information is selected from the group consisting of product brand name, service brand name, product type, service type, discounted products, discounted services, animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal medical services, consumer geographic location, species of animal, animal insurance data, desirable product lines, undesirable product lines, profitable retail locations, frequency of consumer purchases, financial data, typical product fees and typical service fees.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said step of subscribing for access to said at least a portion of said information is through a sponsorship program that governs a sponsor's type and depth of access to said information.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising the step of requiring said sponsor to pay at least one fee that governs said sponsor's type and depth of access to said at least a portion of said information.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising the step of permitting said sponsor, with owner's consent, to utilize said at least a portion of said information to directly market and advertise to said animal owner.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising the step of presenting to said sponsor the option of advertising said sponsor's company logo on said identifying means.  
     
     
         56 . A system of advertising and direct marketing toward animal owners, comprising: 
 means for identifying the animal;    means for recording information related to the health and medical conditions of the animal; and,    means for subscribing to at least a portion of said information recorded via said recording means.    
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said identifying means is at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, animal hospital information, animal patient information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, animal electronic identification information- and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal insurance, animal adoption services, lost animal recovery services and animal medical services.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and microchip technology.  
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal hospital information and animal patient information.  
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein said means for subscribing to said at least a portion of said information is a sponsorship program that governs a medical industry sponsor's type and depth of access to said information.  
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein payment of at least one fee by said medical industry sponsor governs said medical industry sponsor's type and depth of access to said at least a portion of said information.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein said medical industry sponsor utilizes said at least a portion of said information to directly market and advertise medically related goods and services, and coupons and incentives to the animal owner for care of the animal.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein said medical industry sponsor possesses the option of advertising said medical industry sponsor's company logo on said identifying means.  
     
     
         66 . A method of advertising and direct marketing toward animal owners, comprising the steps: 
 a. providing an animal owner with a means for recording information related to the health and medical conditions of the animal;    b. presenting said recording means during medical examinations of the animal;    c. recording said information related to the health and medical conditions of the animal via said recording means; and,    d. subscribing for access to at least a portion of said information recorded via said recording means.    
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said recording means is carried by at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, animal hospital information, poison control information, animal patient information, animal electronic identification information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal insurance, animal adoption services, lost animal recovery services and animal medical services.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and microchip technology.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal hospital information and animal patient information.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said step of subscribing for access to said at least a portion of said information is through a sponsorship program that governs a medical industry sponsor's type and depth of access to said information.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , further comprising the step of requiring said medical industry sponsor to pay at least one fee that governs said medical industry sponsor's type and depth of access to said at least a portion of said information.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , further comprising the step of permitting said medical industry sponsor to utilize said at least a portion of said information to directly market and advertise to said animal owner for care of the animal.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74 , further comprising the step of presenting to said medical industry sponsor the option of advertising said medical industry sponsor's company logo on said identifying means.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 66 , further comprising the step of providing selected owner information to at least one credit provider, wherein said credit provider issues credit to a portion of said owners, and wherein said credit provider shares a portion of charges made with said credit.  
     
     
         77 . A system of locating and identifying lost pets, comprising: 
 means for identifying the animal;    means for recording information related to the animal; and,    means for effectuating mass distribution of recorded information related to the animal to facilitate the process of locating and identifying the lost animal.    
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein said identifying means is at least one identification card having animal identification information thereon, and wherein said animal identification information is selected from the group consisting of animal health, animal medical history, animal medical conditions, animal vaccination information, animal drug allergies, animal physical appearance, animal owner information, animal hospital information, animal patient information, picture of animal, picture of animal owner, poison control information, animal electronic identification information and animal microchip identification information.  
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 78 , wherein said at least one identification card further comprises discount offers on animal related goods and services, and wherein said animal related goods and services is selected from the group consisting of animal drug products, animal food products, animal care products, animal insurance, animal adoption services, lost animal recovery services and animal medical services.  
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein said recording means is at least one recording medium carried by said at least one identification card, and wherein said at least one recording medium records current and updated said animal identification information.  
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein said at least one recording medium is selected from the group consisting of digital recording mechanisms, analog recording mechanisms, bar code technology, magnetic strip technology, radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and microchip technology.  
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein said means for effectuating mass distribution of recorded information related to the animal is a mass facsimile of at least a portion of said recorded information to a plurality of locations, said plurality of location selected from the group consisting of veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, research facilities, humane societies, general retail stores and pet stores.  
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein said means for effectuating mass distribution of recorded information related to the animal is a mass mailing of at least a portion of said recorded information to a plurality of locations, said plurality of location selected from the group consisting of veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, general retail stores and pet stores.  
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein said means for effectuating mass distribution of recorded information related to the animal is a mass E-mailing of at least a portion of said recorded information to a plurality of locations, said plurality of location selected from the group consisting of veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, general retail stores and pet stores.